Murder charges filed against three youths in Kent

Alexander Cashford, 49, was found dead after a disturbance in Leysdown-on-Sea as three teenagers face murder charges.

Minors charged with murder after man dies in Kent

Kent Police were called to Leysdown-on-Sea on Sunday evening after a disturbance involving a small group of people. Alexander Cashford, 49, from Kent, was found at the scene with multiple injuries and died.

A 16-year-old girl and two boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested and charged with murder by joint venture on Tuesday. They are due to appear before Medway Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. The suspects cannot be named for legal reasons. A fourth teenager, a 12-year-old girl, was arrested in Basildon, Essex, in connection with the incident. She remains in custody while enquiries continue.

The case raises questions about how communities respond to youth violence. Local services, families and schools face pressure to prevent such incidents and support young people at risk. As the court process unfolds, privacy rules for juveniles sit against the public interest in safety and transparency.

The use of joint venture charges and name suppression reflects the legal framework and the tensions around accountability, rehabilitation and public trust in seaside towns like Leysdown.

Highlights

The case will shape how the town talks about youth crime in the months ahead.